Car Buying Guide

Car Buying Guide searches begin prior to viewing a vehicle.

First check a reliable car buying guide such as KBB (Kelley Blue Book), Black Book, Red Book, or the NADA Used Vehicle Guide.

Certified used cars are increasingly popular. Generally, manufacturers consider only late-model, relatively low-mileage used cars and trucks with no history of major damage for their certification programs. The manufacturers then have a rigid inspection process of mechanical and cosmetic items that each vehicle must go through before they obtain certification. If necessary, repairs are made and scheduled maintenance is performed.

Once a vehicle is certified, it is covered by a warranty that extends beyond the original factory warranty. Some automakers offer an exchange or a money-back guarantee if a customer is not satisfied with a certified preowned vehicle.

Buyers should understand that they will pay more for a certified used car than for a regular used car.

For more on all things automotive, turn to the home page.

Subscribe to our RSS feed for the latest on
Car Buying Guide .